Trekking in the Vanoise

Discover the wild beauty of France’s Vanoise National Park, where soaring peaks, glacial vistas, and alpine meadows offer some of the Alps’ finest hut-to-hut trekking. Enjoy dramatic high passes, sweeping views of Mont Blanc and Grande Casse, and the warm hospitality of mountain refuges. With its well-marked trails and classic routes, the Vanoise is a top destination for walkers seeking unspoilt alpine scenery.

Perfect for fairly experienced hikers with good fitness, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook presents two iconic multi-day treks: the 163km Tour of the Vanoise and the 72km Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise. Three additional one-week treks, Tour of the Eastern Vanoise, Tour of the Western Vanoise, and a traverse of the Vanoise via the GR5 and GR55, are also outlined, offering a summer’s worth of adventure in this magnificent region.

• Includes five classic hut-to-hut treks in the Vanoise Alps, with routes ranging from 45km to 163km, suitable for walkers able to cover 6–19km (4–12 miles) per day.
• The Tour of the Vanoise is presented in 11 stages plus variants, and the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise in 5 stages, each with daily distance, ascent/descent, and time estimates.
• Alternative itineraries, rolling times, and stage-by-stage accommodation listings enable you to tailor your Vanoise trek to your own pace and interests.
• Explore highlights such as the wild central massif, high cols over 2500m, and the option to summit the Pointe de l’Observatoire (3000m) during the Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise
• Each Vanoise trek is accompanied by clear 1:50,000 mapping, downloadable GPX files, elevation profiles, and concise route summaries.
• Comprehensive listings of mountain huts and facilities along the routes (mid-June to late September), ensuring you make the most of the Vanoise’s legendary refuge network.
• Practical guidance on planning and preparation, travel logistics, equipment, safety, wildlife, alpine flora, and advice for making the most of summer trekking in the protected Vanoise National Park.

Whether you’re planning your first Alpine hut-to-hut trek or seeking a classic multi-day circuit in a spectacular setting, this definitive Cicerone guidebook will help you plan an unforgettable journey through one of France’s most celebrated mountain regions.